Understanding the Decision File - AFS

The Positive Pay Decision File contains decisions made on checks and ACH transactions based on the information provided by business account holders. Below, we outline what the Positive Pay Decision File is, how it works, and how to ensure proper handling. 

What is the Positive Pay Decision File?

The Decision File in Positive Pay by AFS contains the final decision regarding whether to pay or return each check that has been flagged based on predefined fraud prevention criteria. This file is created from the daily decision-making process where checks are reviewed for authenticity by comparing them to issued check data.

Key Points:

• Source of the File: The Decision File is generated by your Positive Pay by AFS platform and includes the final outcome for each flagged check (i.e., whether the check should be paid or returned).
• Upload Requirement: The file is typically sent from the institution to the core system to record the final decisions. It can be reviewed through the Positive Pay by AFS platform and exported for reporting purposes.
• Decision Logging: The Decision File logs all actions taken by the financial institution on checks that were flagged for review, ensuring accurate record-keeping.

How to Use the Positive Pay Decision File:

1. Generate the File: After reviewing flagged checks, the Positive Pay by AFS system generates a Decision File that contains the pay/return decisions.
2. Send the File: The Decision File is sent to the institution’s core system to finalize the decisions made on checks. This step ensures that all decisions are logged and can be used for reporting and audit purposes.
3. Verify Reports: After sending, institutions should ensure that the file is reflected in their Positive Pay by AFS reports. If there are issues, the institution should verify with their core provider that the file was sent and processed correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Where does the Positive Pay Decision File come from?

The file is generated by the institution after reviewing flagged checks in the Positive Pay system. It records the decisions made on whether to pay or return each check.

1. Do I need to upload the Decision File manually?

The Decision File is sent from your institution to your core system. In most cases, the Positive Pay system will handle this automatically once the decisions are made.

1. What should I do if I don’t see the Decision File in my reports?

If the Decision File does not appear in your reports, verify with your core provider that the file was generated and sent correctly. Ensure the system is set to properly export and send the file to the core.

1. Is there any charge for using the Decision File?

No, there are no additional fees for using the Positive Pay Decision File within the system.